South Africa - Johannesburg - 16 March 2026 - Matipandile Sotheni, a suspect linked to the murder of Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, has appeared before the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday morning. Sotheni is facing murder charges and conspiracy to commit murder for the December assassination of Van der Merwe. He was arrested by the special task team and is said to be the person who pulled the trigger on the former reservist who was parked on the driveway of his Brakpan home on the day.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
A man linked to the killing of whistle-blower Marius van der Merwe — known as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry — made his first appearance in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared briefly before the court under heavy police presence, with armed officers stationed outside the courthouse during proceedings.
Sotheni was arrested on Saturday by a specialised task team established to investigate cases emerging from the commission — marking the first arrest linked to evidence presented during the inquiry.
Court proceedings was adjourned to allow Sotheni to prepare a bail application. He faces multiple charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
Van der Merwe was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan on December 5, shortly after he delivered testimony before the commission that included allegations of corruption and claims of a murder cover-up involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that investigators secured a warrant before carrying out the arrest operation.
“The task team established to investigate cases emanating from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has registered its first breakthrough with the arrest of a suspect believed to be the shooter in the Marius van der Merwe murder case,” Mathe said.
She added that authorities had also seized a vehicle believed to have been used during the killing.
Fannie Masemola said another suspect linked to the murder remained at large.
“We are thankful we have made a breakthrough in the murder of Witness D,” Masemola said, and confirmed that that police were continuing their search.
“One of the suspects — we are still hunting them. More will come out as time goes on.”
Masemola declined to comment on the motive behind the killing.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry welcomed the arrest.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels urged law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for families affected by what he described as “people attempting to resist accountability for their alleged acts of criminality”.
The commission was established to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system, including claims of misconduct and unlawful influence affecting law enforcement institutions.
Van der Merwe, a former employee of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and a security specialist, testified before the commission in November, presenting allegations of corruption and detailing information related to the 2023 murder of a suspect.
The case is scheduled to return to the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on March 25 for Sotheni’s bail hearing.
DAILY NEWS